The 17-year-old from Garwood was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, authorities announced Wednesday.
The two best friends were hit around 5:30 p.m. on Monday near Burnside and Lincoln avenues. Both victims died later that night.
It is believed the victims were riding their e-bikes home after attending a school function when they were struck by a black 2021 Jeep Compass. Both were just blocks from their home when they were struck.
At a community vigil on Tuesday night, the victims' mothers held each other up through their grief.
Mary Campbell lives next-door to one the family of one of the victims.
"Beautiful young girl, very good student, very friendly, always helping the parents out," Campbell said. "She's got a brother and a beautiful young boy. Beautiful. I hugged him last night and I said, 'there's no words I can say to make this any easier for you.'"
The suspect left the scene after the crash but was later found and taken into custody.
Anyone with any information on the crash is urged to contact Union County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force Detective Alex Lanza at (908) 370-4318 or Cranford Police Detective Jason D'Agostino at (908) 276-0171.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an arrest and indictment can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.
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